An investigation into the Penn State child sex-abuse scandal involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky has revealed that legendary head coach Joe Paterno and other university leaders “repeatedly concealed critical facts” that could have stopped the abuse long before it was made public.

A report issued by former FBI director Louis Freeh found a striking lack of empathy for child abuse victims, a lack of oversight by the board of trustees, a “president who discouraged discussion and dissent,” and a “culture of reverence for the football program that is ingrained at all levels of the campus community.”

As a result, Freeh said, “Four of the most powerful people [at Penn State] … failed to protect against a child predator harming children for over a decade.”

The report, which was commissioned by the school, could affect the reputation of the now-late Paterno as well as the university’s standing with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, which said Thursday it is studying the findings.

Last month, Sandusky, 68, was found guilty of 45 counts of child sexual abuse and potentially faces a maximum sentence of 400 years in prison.